Bonnaroo veterans Avett Brothers conquer festival's main stage

Just five years ago, the Avett Brothers played a daytime show on Record Store Day in the parking lot behind Grimey's in Nashville.

Admission was free, and the crowd seemed to know every lyric to every song the Americana rock band offered up.

Now look at them.

On Sunday, the band played the largest stage at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in front of a massive crowd. The only performer to follow them was iconic Elton John.

The crowd still seemed to know every lyric to every song, though.

Although long-time fans know the Avetts as the four-piece that played the Grimey's parking lot, consisting of brothers Seth and Scott Avett, bassist Bob Crawford and cellist Joe Kwon, the addition of drums, keyboard and fiddle perfectly expanded their sound for the throngs of people at the What stage.

Fan-favorites like "Laundry Room" and "The Perfect Space" off the Avett's 2009 album "I and Love and You" served as highlights. When they played the title track from the same album, the Avett Brothers had a backing choir of tens of thousands.

The Avett Brothers pointed out to the crowd that this is their fifth time playing the festival. But the band hasn't played for a crowd like this before.